Other state and local agencies may also be
involved in regulatory matters for intrastate
natural gas pipelines.

What is a Transmission Pipeline?
A transmission pipeline transports gas from a
gathering line or storage facility to a distribution
center or storage facility. A transmission pipeline
may also transport gas within a storage field.

Pipelines that do not cross a county
line or are less than 15 miles in length.

Pipelines owned and operated by a local
distribution company.

Pipelines being licensed as an
associated facility under the Power Plant
Siting Act.

Applicants may use the licensing process under
the Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Siting Act for
projects exempt from the Act.

Certification Process for Transmission
Pipelines:
The certification process and procedural
requirements are similar to those for electrical
transmission lines, including the ability of parties
to propose alternate corridors and the possibility
that an alternate corridor will be the one
certified.

A difference between the two Acts is that
electrical transmission corridors can be up to a
mile wide, while under the Natural Gas Transmission
Pipeline Siting Act, corridors can only be one-third
mile wide. This reduces the amount of area to be
reviewed and the number of people who may
potentially be affected by the pipeline.

As with transmission lines, safety and land
ownership questions frequently arise about natural
gas pipeline location. In Florida, safety
jurisdiction for natural gas pipelines lies with the
Public Service Commission, but DEP's Siting
Coordination Office can answer questions or
recommend an appropriate contact at the Public
Service Commission.

Regarding land ownership, utilities typically
offer to buy land necessary for a project at fair
market value and an agreeable sale is negotiated.
However, certification does empower the company with
the right of eminent domain.

Procedural Rules for Natural Gas Transmission
Pipelines
The procedural rule for Natural Gas Transmission
Pipeline is
62-807, F.A.C., [PDF -
79KB]. All nonprocedural rules that would
otherwise apply to such a facility also apply to a
certified facility.

No projects have been certified under the Natural
Gas Pipeline Siting Act.